

The Ringer-Verse
The Ringer
The Ringer-Verse is your go-to nexus podcast feed for all things nerd culture and fandom, featuring:'The Midnight Boys': Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman react to the latest in fandom and share their instant reactions to the newest nerd culture releases, all while bringing the banter every week.'Mint Edition': Steve, Jomi, and Jessica Clemons gather every other week to share their unique takes on the movies and shows that are animating the fandom.'Button Mash': Ben Lindbergh and Jessica discuss the latest in the world of video games, from headline-making new releases, to industry trends, to game swaps and nostalgic re-plays.'Splash Page': Jessica breaks down the latest Easter eggs and theories from all of your favorite content. Not sure if that was a Mephisto reference in the latest 'Loki' episode? Wondering what exactly that post-credits scene means? Eager to know how a new trailer sets up your most anticipated release of the season? Jessica will answer all of those questions and more in her video podcasts.Follow the new House of R feed for deep dives from Mal and Jo!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 11, 2024 • 1h 55min
‘Agatha’ Episode 5 and ‘Penguin’ Episode 3 Reactions, Plus DC Casting News | The Midnight Boys
The hosts dive into the latest twists in 'Agatha' and 'The Penguin,' revealing surprising character developments and cliffhangers. They discuss critical casting news for the DC universe, specifically the impact of colorism and character dynamics. The conversation humorously touches on iconic superhero role speculation and the deeper narratives shaping modern storytelling. With engaging banter, they analyze morality and identity in both shows, reflecting on how these themes resonate in the broader landscape of superhero narratives.

Oct 5, 2024 • 1h 49min
‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The hosts dive deep into 'Joker: Folie à Deux', sharing mixed reactions about its plot and character dynamics. They discuss the film's disconnect from its predecessor and critique its portrayal of violence and mental health. The conversation also touches on toxic fandom and creative pressures filmmakers face. Shifting gears, they explore recent developments in 'Agatha' and 'The Penguin', highlighting audience reactions and character chemistry. Their lively banter and humorous insights make for an engaging exploration of pop culture and storytelling.

Oct 2, 2024 • 1h 26min
Here Comes the Pitch: Villain Movie Edition | Mint Edition
Jessica Clemons, a beloved pop culture commentator, joins the lively discussion about the art of villainy on screen. They dive into the complexities of iconic villains, using examples like the latest ‘Joker’ sequel. The banter gets creative as they pitch original villain movie concepts, including a whimsical horror tale featuring the Pied Piper. From reimagining classic figures to exploring comedic takes on political horrors, the conversation flows with humor and insight, making the dark side of film entertaining and thought-provoking.

Oct 1, 2024 • 32min
Ringer-Verse Recommends: September 2024
The leaves are dropping, and so is the latest edition of Ringer-Verse Recommends! Join the Ringer-Verse and House of R crews as they grab their rakes, sweep up scattered releases, and jump into piles of nerd-culture content in the latest installment of their monthly mini-pod about fandom favorites from TV, anime, movies, video games, books, comics, and beyond that were released recently but not yet covered in-depth on a full-length episode.Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Joanna Robinson, Jomi Adeniran, Steve Ahlman, Johnathan Kermah, Mallory Rubin, and Arjuna RamgopalSenior Producer and Video Production: Steve AhlmanAdditional Production Support: Arjuna RamgopalSocial: Jomi Adeniran Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 27, 2024 • 1h 35min
‘The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom’ Reactions | Button Mash
Ben summons Justin Charity for a spoiler-free but in-depth discussion about Nintendo’s new ‘The Legend of Zelda’ release for Switch, ‘Echoes of Wisdom.’ After they give their high-level capsule reviews of the game, they catch up on some recent news, including the teaser for ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2, the announcement of (and trailer for) ‘Ghost of Yotei,’ the delay of ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows,’ and Nintendo’s lawsuit against ‘Palworld’ maker Pocket Pair (6:00). After that, they describe their experiences with ‘Echoes,’ explore how it synthesizes aspects of its open-world and top-down predecessors, examine the contrast between playing as Zelda and playing as Link, and share their hopes for the future of the franchise (33:40).Host: Ben LindberghGuest: Justin CharityProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 26, 2024 • 1h 40min
'Agatha All Along' Episode 3 Reactions and Revisiting ‘Joker’ | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, with the exception of Charles “Opt-outimus Prime,” to give you their thoughts on the latest episode of Disney+’s ‘Agatha All Along’ (12:25). Then everyone joins in to discuss ‘Joker’ in anticipation of the sequel next week (42:18).Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve AhlmanProducers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve AhlmanAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 21, 2024 • 54min
'Transformers One' and The State of the Franchise | Mint Edition
The hosts dive into the excitement surrounding the latest addition to the Transformers franchise, discussing its emotional depth and character dynamics, particularly between Optimus Prime and Megatron. They reflect on nostalgic gaming memories intertwined with the series. The playful banter includes whimsical casting ideas, and they analyze the franchise's lore, storytelling, and iconic characters. Ranking past films and sharing personal anecdotes adds to the fun, making it clear that there's plenty of love for this transforming universe.

4 snips
Sep 20, 2024 • 1h 30min
‘Agatha All Along’ and ‘The Penguin’ Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The hosts dive into HBO's 'The Penguin,' analyzing Colin Farrell's portrayal of Cobblepot and the character's evolution in Gotham. They also passionately discuss the new Marvel series featuring Agatha Harkness, examining the show's comedic elements and connection to 'WandaVision.' Humor flows as they tackle the complexities of flawed heroes and the representation of witches in media. The entertaining banter blends cultural insights with personal stories, offering a refreshing perspective on today's pop culture trends.

Sep 12, 2024 • 1h 57min
The Whitest Movies Draft | The Midnight Boys
Join the lively banter as the hosts hilariously draft the whitest movies of all time, exploring genres from comedy to Oscar winners. They delve into the cultural implications of iconic films and the complexities of race, dissecting everything from 'Fight Club' to 'Back to the Future.' Engaging discussions also cover the portrayal of masculinity, the 'white savior' trope, and nostalgic favorites like 'La La Land' and 'Moonlight.' Expect absurd concepts and creative storytelling, all wrapped in comedic insights on celebrity culture and cultural identity!

Sep 10, 2024 • 1h 40min
‘Astro Bot’ Is Brilliant, ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ Is Killer, and ‘Concord’ Is Conquered | Button Mash
Delve into the magical world of 'Astro Bot,' a PlayStation platformer that balances nostalgia with innovation. Discover the explosive success of 'Black Myth: Wukong' contrasted with the lackluster launch of 'Concord,' revealing insights into the gaming industry. The hosts also explore the marvels of the DualSense controller and the growing anticipation for adaptations of beloved video game franchises. Plus, a heartfelt tribute to the legendary James Earl Jones wraps up a lively discussion filled with laughter and insights.


